The Strategic Year Book 2025, the flagship annual publication of the United Service Institution of India, offers a definitive and forward-looking examination of India’s national security landscape and global strategic engagement. Now in its tenth edition, the Year Book has established itself as an essential strategic compass for decision-makers, defence professionals, scholars, and those preparing to lead India’s future in international affairs.

As the global order undergoes tectonic shifts and the boundaries between war and peace, diplomacy and coercion, technology and doctrine increasingly blur, this volume brings clarity, depth, and vision. It captures the breadth of India’s strategic challenges and opportunities—reimagining its global role, reinforcing internal resilience through inclusive governance, countering adversarial alignments, recalibrating regional engagement, navigating the emerging digital battlefield, and transforming defence capabilities for future warfare.

With contributions from senior military veterans, seasoned diplomats, and domain experts, the Year Book presents sharp, analytical narratives that combine historical context with policy foresight. Each section is anchored in India’s national interest, offering institutional recommendations and operational insights grounded in today`s realities and tomorrow`s imperatives.

Organised thematically into six sections, the Strategic Year Book 2025 distils thought leadership into actionable pathways. It is not merely a publication—it is a strategic instrument. For every stakeholder in India’s security ecosystem, from war rooms to classrooms, it remains a critical guide in shaping informed, agile, and decisive responses to an uncertain world.

Major General Bal Krishan Sharma, AVSM, SM** (Retd) is the Director General of the United Service Institution of India (USI). A former senior faculty member at the National Defence College, he is a renowned expert in net assessment, Central Asia, and China. He is a prolific speaker and writer on national and international security issues.

Major General Sanjeev Chowdhry (Retd) is the Director Editorial at the USI. He holds an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies and specialises in net assessment and geopolitical analysis. A regular contributor on defence and strategic affairs, he brings expertise and insight into contemporary security issues.

Ms Komal Chaudhary is the Editorial Assistant at the USI. She holds Masters degrees in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies.

Mr Vinayak Sharma is a Research Assistant at the USI. He holds a Master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication. His work focuses on strategic and geopolitical affairs, on which he writes extensively.

Ms Richa Sharma is a Research Intern at the USI. She holds Masters degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies and Political Science.